The Aegean Sea is a favorite route for migrants looking to cross into Europe via Turkey. An agreement between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 has helped to reduce the flow of migration along this route, but there has been a recovery this year.

A total of 2,448 migrants have been detained by the Turkish coast guard so far this year, more than the 1,110 in the same period last year, according to the most recent figures released by the Turkish force.

The coastguard rescued a total of 54 foreign migrants in two previous operations on January 11 and February 5.